the hour of death? Or, if he could be certain that a lingering sickness would put an end to his days; yet how does he know that God will then vouchsafe him the grace of repentance? and without that grace it is impossible he should repent. O how much rather may such a person have cause to fear, lest God should be so provoked, by his many wilful refusals to hearken to the calls and admonitions of the Holy Spirit, as to cut short his days of grace, and deliver him over to a hardened and reprobate mind!

The Scripture assures us, that there is a time when men shall call upon God, and he will not hearken. Because I have called, and ye refused; I have stretched out my hand, and no man regarded; but ye have set at nought all my counsel, and would none of my reproof; I also will laugh at your calamity: I will mock when your fear cometh; when your fear cometh as desolation; and your destruction cometh as a whirlwind; when distress and anguish cometh upon you. Then shall they call upon me, but I will not an

swer; they will seek me e arly, but they shall not find me: for that they hated knowledge, and did not chuse the fear of the Lord: they would none of my counsel. They despised all my reproof; therefore shall they eat of the fruit of their own way, and be filled with their own devices, Prov. i. 24, &c. The end of the long-suffering and forbearance of God is to lead men to repentance: Rom. ii. 4. but if, instead of producing that blessed effect, it only hardens them in their sins, and makes them resolve to go on in their wicked courses, vainly presuming they will repent, when they come to die; low just it may be in God to leave them at their last hour under all the terrors and agonies of a fearful death! to laugh at their calamity, and to mock when their fear cometh!

O consider this, all ye that forget God, lest he pluck you away, and there be none to deliver you. Consider it in due time, before it be too late, before the dreadful hour comes upon you: when all opportunities of reconciling yourselves to your offended God shall be taken from you, and the door of

hope shall be for ever shut. Silence the clamour of your passions, and listen to the threatenings of God's holy word, the admonitions of his blessed spirit, and the checks of your own consciences. Be persuaded to set about the great work of your salvation today, while it is called to day, before the night cometh when no man can work. Remember, that though you are now, perhaps, in health and strength; in the prime and vigour of your years; surrounded with the pleasures of a great and splendid fortune; yet the time is coming, and (whether you think of it or not) is speedily approaching, when you must take your leave of all that is desirable upon earth, Nothing will then stand you in any stead but a good conscience; neither honours, nor riches, nor any thing else that men are now so fond of, will then be able to give you one moment's ease, or afford you one comfortable thought. Nothing will then avail but the consciousness of having in some measure apswered the end for which God sent you into the world; by having lived in

the fear and love of God, and in simplicity and godly sincerity having had your conversation in this world.

It was this that made St. Paul desire to be dissolved and to be with Christ; for, he had fought a good fight, and kept the faith. And therefore he could say with great assurance, when the time of his departure was at hand, that there was laid up for him a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, should give him at that day. 2 Tim. iv. 7, 8. And it was this that made a late pious divine* of our church, when he was near his death, utter these remarkable expressions: I am entering upon my last labour; the Lord gave, and

he is now taking away, blessed be the name of the Lord! for, I thank my God, I am going without any distrust, without the least misgiving, to a place of rest, and joy, and everlasting bliss. There is no life like a happy death. 'I have endeavoured, even from my youth, to approve myself a faithful servant to my great Master. I have *Kettlewell. Sce the Preface to kis Five Discourses published since his Deuth.

'taken some pains in writing several books; I have seriously considered them: and am fully satisfied (looking 6 on those about him), that you may 'find in them the way to heaven. The christian duties contained therein have been my practice, as well as study: and now I find the advantage of it. And therefore be careful to read them often and seriously; and live suitably thereunto, that, when < you come to the condition I am now in, you may die with comfort, as you 'see me do. I have some little pain indeed; but my pain is nothing so extraordinary as my hopes; for, I have earnestly repented of all my sins, and verily believe, that, through the tender mercies of my God, and the merits of my blessed Saviour Jesus Christ, I shall be carried up into Abraham's 'bosom.' After which, it is said, he made this short prayer. 'I wait, O

God, for that everlasting rest, which 'I want at present, but shall not long. I am ready, when thou my God callest for me; yet can stay with tience till thou pleasest: for thy time

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